EASA AD No.: 2014-0141

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EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AD No.: 2014-0141

Date: 04 June 2014

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation 

(EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and of the 

European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that 

Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with EU 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an 

aircraft to which an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 

2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name:

AIRBUS

Type/Model designation(s):

A318, A319 and A320 aeroplanes

TCDS Number: EASA.A.064

Foreign AD: Not applicable

Supersedure: None

ATA 32 Landing Gear – Main Landing Gear Upper Cardan – Life Limitation

Manufacturer: Airbus (formerly Airbus Industrie)

Applicability: Airbus A318-111, A318-112, A318-121, A318-122, A319-111, A319-112,

A319-113, A319-114, A319-115, A319-131, A319-132, A319-133, A320-211, 

A320-212, A320-214, A320-215, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232 and

A320-233 aeroplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers.

Reason: During an A320-200 77T main landing gear (MLG) fatigue test by Messier 

Bugatti-Dowty (MBD), an upper cardan was found with a crack, emanating from 

the grease hole / main lug intersection. The affected upper cardan, Part Number 

(P/N) 201163620, is listed in the applicable Airworthiness Limitations Section 

(ALS) Part 1 with a demonstrated fatigue life of 60 000 landings.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to MLG upper cardan failure, possibly 

resulting in MLG collapse and subsequent damage to the aeroplane and injury 

to occupants.

Prompted by these findings and further to analysis, it has been decided to 

reduce the life limit for certain installations of the P/N 201163620 MLG upper 

cardan.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires implementation of the new

life limits, as applicable, and replacement of any affected MLG upper cardan 

units that have already exceeded the reduced limit.

The reduced life limits for the affected MLG upper cardan are expected to be 

incorporated in a next revision of the Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1.

Effective Date: 18 June 2014
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Required Action(s) 

and Compliance

Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

(1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, or before exceeding the 

life limit as defined in Appendix 1 of this AD, as applicable, whichever 

occurs later, replace each MLG upper cardan P/N 201163620 with a 

serviceable part.

Note 1: For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable MLG upper cardan is a

part having P/N 201163620 that has not exceeded the life limit defined in 

Appendix 1 of this AD, or a MLG upper cardan having a different P/N that has 

not exceeded the life limit defined in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1 

Revision 02.

(2) From the effective date of this AD, it is allowed to install a MLG upper 

cardan P/N 201163620 on an aeroplane, provided the part life has not 

exceeded the life limit defined in Appendix 1 of this AD, as applicable, and

that, following installation, it is replaced before exceeding the applicable life 

limit as defined in Appendix 1 of this AD (see Notes 4 and 6) with a 

serviceable part (see Note 1 above).

Ref. Publications: Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1 Revision 02, dated 13 May 2011.

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative 

Methods of Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 25 March 2014 as PAD 14-057 for consultation until 

08 April 2014. The Comment Response Document can be found at 

http://ad.easa.europa.eu/.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Safety Information 

Section, Executive Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact: AIRBUS – Airworthiness Office – EIAS,

Fax +33 5 61 93 44 51, E-mail: account.airworth-eas@airbus.com.
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Appendix 1 – MLG Upper Cardan P/N 201163620 Life Limit

Note 2: The life limit as specified in this Appendix (see table below) is counted in landings, accumulated 

by the MLG unit since its first installation on an aeroplane.

Note 3: The life limit applies only where the installation is valid for the given aeroplane model, 

configuration, and weight variant (WV).

Note 4: In case of transfer of a part between aeroplanes having a different life limitation, refer to the 

Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1 Revision 02 sub-part 1-0 paragraph 6 for the method 

to adjust the life limitation.

Note 5: A MLG unit on which Airbus modification (mod) 26644 is embodied (i.e. post-mod) is also 

known as “Enhanced” landing gear. Pre-mod 26644 MLG units are identified as P/N 201375xxx 

Leg and Dressing Series and post-mod 26644 MLG units are identified as P/N 201582xxx Leg 

and Dressing series.

Note 6: For aeroplanes and configurations not defined in the table below, the life limitation is unchanged 

and those as specified in Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 ALS Part 1 at Revision 02 still apply.

Note 7: Certain life limits were stated incorrectly in PAD 14-057, as 50 950 FC instead of 50 590 FC.

The Table below shows the correct values.

Affected aeroplanes Life Limit 

(see Note 2 above)

A319 pre-mod 26644, excluding Corporate Jets post-mod 28238, 28162 and 28342 50 590

A319 post-mod 26644, excluding Corporate Jets post-mod 28238, 28162 and 28342 56 480

A320 Twin pre-mod 26644, WV012, WV011, WV016 and WV018 50 590

A320 Twin post-mod 26644, WV012, WV011, WV016 and WV018 56 480

A320 Twin post-mod 26644, WV015 and WV017 42 140